When he arrived, Baba was talking with about 50 of the mandali at the Makan. Baba was informed of a group's arrival. No one had any idea who the men really were. Satya Mang and his accomplices sat on the ground before Baba after first prostrating themselves at Baba's feet. Baba suddenly became very serious and remained quiet for a few minutes.
He then asked, "Where do you come from and where are you going?"
Satya Mang answered, but did not disclose his identity.
Baba looked directly at him and gestured, "You should be wearing bangles!"
Satya Mang did not follow the meaning of this and asked the mandali what Baba had said.
Baba again repeated, "You should put bangles around your wrists! Why aren't you wearing them?"
When one of the mandali explained, Satya Mang asked, "Why? What have I done?"
"You are a coward!" Baba exclaimed.
"What do you mean?" Satya Mang demanded.
"A hefty man like you can extract water from stone [meaning that he could work hard and earn an honest livelihood]. But instead, you are a dacoit [thief] and rob people. Your very name strikes terror in the hearts of women and children who are unable to sleep when they think of you."
Until then, the mandali did not know who this man was, but after hearing Baba, they felt sure that this must be the infamous Satya Mang whom the police had been unable to catch despite their best efforts.
Baba continued, "You support yourself on illegal gains. Aren't you ashamed to grow a mustache? You are not a man — you are a woman!"
Satya Mang replied, "I inherited my profession. If I do not pursue it, how am I to maintain myself and my family?"
"Can't you find another occupation other than robbing people? What are the rest of the people in the world doing? Do you mean to say that everyone in the world lives on stolen property?"
To make such statements to this dangerous criminal was unheard of, for even the police were terrified of Satya Mang and his gang. But this wolf became like a lamb before Meher Baba and humbly asked, "Maharaj, show me what I am to do. I am ready to give up this way of life if I find some employment to maintain my family."
Baba replied, "That can be arranged immediately, but how can you stop stealing? Despite my repeated warnings, I find abounding negligence which pains me deeply."